This year, I participated in Student Vote with my school. I’d never heard of such a process, and I was really excited. Student Vote allowed us to experience what voting is like and even vote for the candidate we support in our school’s riding. Because we are under the age of majority, our votes didn’t count for the actual election, but they were tallied up along with all the other participating schools across Canada to analyze how youth feel about their country.
Before election day we got into groups and prepared presentations on different party platforms. The week before voting, we presented to the class, and it was amazing to hear all the different issues that impact Canadians and the variety of views that come with them. You can get ready to vote by understanding how important every single voice is, following an easy election process and being an informed citizen.
Unfortunately, I heard some students in my school saying that they didn’t care about Student Vote because it doesn’t count for the actual election. Others said that even when they grow up there is no point in voting, because their one voice in so many won’t affect anything.
The truth is, every vote counts. After the 2015 federal election it was evident how every single vote matters. A candidate in one of the ridings won by only 80 votes. If those 80 people hadn’t come out to vote, their voice wouldn’t have been heard. Anyone can say that their voice doesn’t count, but without citizens speaking out, Canada wouldn’t be about the people. Voting is a very important part of our democracy and every voice matters.
Ghalia Aamer Edmonton, Alberta
2nd Place Winner of National Democracy Challenge 2015